On Monday, Feb. 28, the San Juan County Public Hospital District finalized its $4.8 million purchase of the Village at the Harbor, a 36-bed long-term care facility located on Spring Street. With the sale complete, the PHD now embarks on an ambitious plan to ensure the continued availability and eventual expansion of long-term care services  Continue Reading

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, Island Rec’s Study Time and Afternoon Recreation (STAR) program returns to Friday Harbor Elementary School on Monday, March 21. “The STAR program serves a critical need for elementary age after-school childcare in our community, and we know how important it is for Island Rec to get  Continue Reading

Minnie Knych sends along the following request for help from the Island community on behalf of the American Legion Auxiliary. Since 2001, the American Legion Auxiliary in Friday Harbor has organized and sent monthly care packages to any service man or woman who is a friend or relative of a local resident and serving in  Continue Reading

Island rock band Desolation Sound will premiere live versions of songs from their new album “Salish Rock” at a benefit concert tomorrow, March 12, at the San Juan Community Theatre. The event starts at 7:30 p.m., the entry fee is pay-what-you-can, and all proceeds will go to the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center and  Continue Reading

The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management reports 23 confirmed or probable new COVID cases on San Juan Island since March 4. Neither Orcas Island nor Lopez Island reported a new case in the last week. The 23 new cases bring the total case count to 1,247. In their media release, the County discussed  Continue Reading

America’s Boating Club of the San Juan Islands will host its annual flare shoot and fire extinguisher training on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Jackson Beach. Participants will learn how to signal for help and practice setting off flares and using a fire extinguisher under the guidance of America’s Boating  Continue Reading

Spring Street International School’s virtual spring speaker series returns starting this Tuesday, March 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. In the first of five sessions between March 15 and April 21, Joe Van Eeckhout of the Spring Street class of 2006 will discuss his journey as a cinematographer and filmmaker. Joe describes his experience this  Continue Reading

For the sixth straight year, the Town of Friday Harbor will offer residential garbage customers a one-time curbside pickup of items that are too large or heavy to fit in their garbage cans. The pickup will take place on customers’ regular collection day between Friday, March 25 and Thursday, March 31. According to the Town:  Continue Reading

San Juan County Auditor Milene Henley shares a detailed synopsis of the profound growth that several of the County’s key revenue sources experienced in 2021, along with insights into how those funds may (and may not) be used in the years ahead. Spring is a time full of hope. Last spring, we hoped we would  Continue Reading

Amy Vira’s campaign sends along the following announcement of her candidacy for San Juan County Prosecutor. Attorney Amy Vira of San Juan Island announced her candidacy for San Juan County Prosecutor today. “I came to San Juan County 10 years ago to work as a deputy prosecutor and built a life in a community I  Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Library District is looking for an experienced individual with strong attention to detail to conduct bookkeeping and payroll activities. Learn more in the Island Jobs section of the San Juan Update.

The Center for Whale Research published a report about their March 7 encounter with the J pod of Southern Resident killer whales in San Juan Channel. You can read the full report at their website. Photo credit: Center for Whale Research